9811936

Level-Based Data Sharing for Digital Content Production

PublishedNovember 7, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
18 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A computer-implemented method for rendering three-dimensional images using a level graph, the method comprising: accessing the level graph, the level graph comprising a first node, a second node, a third node, and a target node, wherein: the second node, third node, and target node are descendants of the first node, the target node or an ancestor of the target node is a direct descendant of both the second node and the third node, and the first node comprises a first scene description data, the second node comprises a first variation data, the third node comprises a second variation data, and the target node comprises a third variation data; receiving a selection of the target node for computation; determining ancestors of the target node, wherein the ancestors of the target node comprises the first node, the second node, and the third node; determining a linearization of the ancestors of the target node, the linearization comprising an order of the ancestors of the target node; initializing a scene description using the first scene description data of the first node; applying the variation data of the second node and the third node, based on the order determined by the linearization, to the scene description to produce an updated scene description; applying the third variation of the target node to the updated scene description to produce a final scene description; and rendering an image based on the final scene description.

Plain English Translation

A computer method renders 3D images using a level graph. The graph contains a first node (containing initial scene data), second and third nodes (containing variations), and a target node, where all are descendants of the first node, and the target or its ancestor descends from both the second and third. The method selects a target node, determines its ancestors (including the first, second, and third nodes), and linearizes the ancestors to define their processing order. It initializes a scene description using the first node's scene data, then applies the second and third node variations in the determined order to update the scene. Finally, it applies the target node's variation to produce a final scene description and renders an image from it.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first node is a base node that is a root node.

Plain English Translation

The 3D image rendering method using a level graph, as described in the previous claim, wherein the first node, containing the initial scene description, is a base or root node in the level graph. This means the scene rendering starts from a foundational scene description, onto which the descendant nodes introduce modifications.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein initializing the scene description using the scene description data of the first node is based on the linearization.

Plain English Translation

In the 3D image rendering method using a level graph, as described previously, initializing the scene description using the first node's scene description data considers the linearization order of ancestor nodes. This implies the initial scene may be set up differently depending on how the variations from other ancestor nodes will eventually be applied, allowing for context-aware initialization.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the second node further comprises a second scene description data, and wherein the second scene description data is applied to the scene description to produce the updated scene description.

Plain English Translation

In the 3D image rendering method using a level graph, as described previously, the second node contains both a variation and scene description data. The second node's scene description data is applied to update the scene before its variation is applied. This allows for a node to contain both full scene information and incremental modifications, which are applied in sequence.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the linearization of the ancestors of the target node comprises determining the linearization of the ancestors of the target node based on a C3 superclass linearization algorithm.

Plain English Translation

In the 3D image rendering method using a level graph, as described previously, the linearization of ancestor nodes (determining the order in which their variations are applied) is performed using the C3 superclass linearization algorithm. This algorithm provides a consistent and predictable order, particularly when the level graph has complex inheritance structures to avoid ambiguity when combining scene variations.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein: the first node comprises a first tag and the second node comprises a second tag; and determining the linearization of the ancestors of the target node comprises ordering the first node and the second node based on the first tag and the second tag.

Plain English Translation

In the 3D image rendering method using a level graph, as described previously, the first and second nodes contain first and second tags. The linearization of the ancestor nodes is determined by ordering the first and second nodes based on these tags. This allows using tag values to explicitly control the order in which scene variations are applied, enabling fine-grained control over the final rendered image.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions for rendering three-dimensional images using a level graph, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for: accessing the level graph, the level graph comprising a first node, a second node, a third node, and a target node, wherein: the second node, third node, and target node are descendants of the first node, the target node or an ancestor of the target node is a direct descendant of both the second node and the third node, and the first node comprises a first scene description data, the second node comprises a first variation data, the third node comprises a second variation data, and the target node comprises a third variation data; receiving a selection of the target node for computation; determining ancestors of the target node, wherein the ancestors of the target node comprises the first node, the second node, and the third node; determining a linearization of the ancestors of the target node, the linearization comprising an order of the ancestors of the target node; initializing a scene description using the first scene description data of the first node; applying the variation data of the second node and the third node, based on the order determined by the linearization, to the scene description to produce an updated scene description; applying the third variation of the target node to the updated scene description to produce a final scene description; and rendering an image based on the final scene description.

Plain English Translation

A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions for rendering 3D images using a level graph. The graph contains a first node (containing initial scene data), second and third nodes (containing variations), and a target node, where all are descendants of the first node, and the target or its ancestor descends from both the second and third. The instructions select a target node, determine its ancestors (including the first, second, and third nodes), and linearize the ancestors to define their processing order. It initializes a scene description using the first node's scene data, then applies the second and third node variations in the determined order to update the scene. Finally, it applies the target node's variation to produce a final scene description and renders an image from it.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the first node is a base node that is a root node.

Plain English Translation

The computer-readable medium for 3D image rendering using a level graph, as described in the previous claim, wherein the first node, containing the initial scene description, is a base or root node in the level graph. This means the scene rendering starts from a foundational scene description, onto which the descendant nodes introduce modifications.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein initializing the scene description using the scene description data of the first node is based on the linearization.

Plain English Translation

The computer-readable medium for 3D image rendering using a level graph, as described previously, wherein initializing the scene description using the first node's scene description data considers the linearization order of ancestor nodes. This implies the initial scene may be set up differently depending on how the variations from other ancestor nodes will eventually be applied, allowing for context-aware initialization.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the second node further comprises a second scene description data, and wherein the second scene description data is applied to the scene description to produce the updated scene description.

Plain English Translation

The computer-readable medium for 3D image rendering using a level graph, as described previously, wherein the second node contains both a variation and scene description data. The second node's scene description data is applied to update the scene before its variation is applied. This allows for a node to contain both full scene information and incremental modifications, which are applied in sequence.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein determining the linearization of the ancestors of the target node comprises determining the linearization of the ancestors of the target node based on a C3 superclass linearization algorithm.

Plain English Translation

The computer-readable medium for 3D image rendering using a level graph, as described previously, wherein the linearization of ancestor nodes (determining the order in which their variations are applied) is performed using the C3 superclass linearization algorithm. This algorithm provides a consistent and predictable order, particularly when the level graph has complex inheritance structures to avoid ambiguity when combining scene variations.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein: the first node comprises a first tag and the second node comprises a second tag; and determining the linearization of the ancestors of the target node comprises ordering the first node and the second node based on the first tag and the second tag.

Plain English Translation

The computer-readable medium for 3D image rendering using a level graph, as described previously, wherein the first and second nodes contain first and second tags. The linearization of the ancestor nodes is determined by ordering the first and second nodes based on these tags. This allows using tag values to explicitly control the order in which scene variations are applied, enabling fine-grained control over the final rendered image.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. An apparatus for rendering three-dimensional images using a level graph, the apparatus comprising: a memory configured to store the level graph; and one or more computer processors configured to: access the level graph, the level graph comprising a first node, a second node, a third node, and a target node, wherein: the second node, third node, and target node are descendants of the first node, the target node or an ancestor of the target node is a direct descendant of both the second node and the third node, and the first node comprises a first scene description data, the second node comprises a first variation data, the third node comprises a second variation data, and the target node comprises a third variation data; receive a selection of the target node for computation; determine ancestors of the target node, wherein the ancestors of the target node comprises the first node, the second node, and the third node; determine a linearization of the ancestors of the target node, the linearization comprising an order of the ancestors of the target node; initialize a scene description using the first scene description data of the first node; apply the variation data of the second node and the third node, based on the order determined by the linearization, to the scene description to produce an updated scene description; apply the third variation of the target node to the updated scene description to produce a final scene description; and render an image based on the final scene description.

Plain English Translation

An apparatus renders 3D images using a level graph. It comprises memory storing the level graph and one or more processors. The level graph contains a first node (containing initial scene data), second and third nodes (containing variations), and a target node, where all are descendants of the first node, and the target or its ancestor descends from both the second and third. The processors select a target node, determine its ancestors (including the first, second, and third nodes), and linearize the ancestors to define their processing order. They initialize a scene description using the first node's scene data, then apply the second and third node variations in the determined order to update the scene. Finally, they apply the target node's variation to produce a final scene description and render an image from it.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first node is a base node that is a root node.

Plain English Translation

The 3D image rendering apparatus using a level graph, as described in the previous claim, wherein the first node, containing the initial scene description, is a base or root node in the level graph. This means the scene rendering starts from a foundational scene description, onto which the descendant nodes introduce modifications.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein initializing the scene description using the scene description data of the first node is based on the linearization.

Plain English Translation

The 3D image rendering apparatus using a level graph, as described previously, wherein initializing the scene description using the first node's scene description data considers the linearization order of ancestor nodes. This implies the initial scene may be set up differently depending on how the variations from other ancestor nodes will eventually be applied, allowing for context-aware initialization.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second node further comprises a second scene description data, and wherein the second scene description data is applied to the scene description to produce the updated scene description.

Plain English Translation

The 3D image rendering apparatus using a level graph, as described previously, wherein the second node contains both a variation and scene description data. The second node's scene description data is applied to update the scene before its variation is applied. This allows for a node to contain both full scene information and incremental modifications, which are applied in sequence.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein determining the linearization of the ancestors of the target node comprises determining the linearization of the ancestors of the target node based on a C3 superclass linearization algorithm.

Plain English Translation

The 3D image rendering apparatus using a level graph, as described previously, wherein the linearization of ancestor nodes (determining the order in which their variations are applied) is performed using the C3 superclass linearization algorithm. This algorithm provides a consistent and predictable order, particularly when the level graph has complex inheritance structures to avoid ambiguity when combining scene variations.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein: the first node comprises a first tag and the second node comprises a second tag; and determining the linearization of the ancestors of the target node comprises ordering the first node and the second node based on the first tag and the second tag.

Plain English Translation

The 3D image rendering apparatus using a level graph, as described previously, wherein the first and second nodes contain first and second tags. The linearization of the ancestor nodes is determined by ordering the first and second nodes based on these tags. This allows using tag values to explicitly control the order in which scene variations are applied, enabling fine-grained control over the final rendered image.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

November 7, 2017

Inventors

Peter MCNERNEY
Evan P. SMYTH
Robert Giles WILSON
Greg HEFLIN
Jeff BEALL
Jonathan GIBBS
Mike HAMLER
Benoit GAGNON

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Cite as: Patentable. “LEVEL-BASED DATA SHARING FOR DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCTION” (9811936). https://patentable.app/patents/9811936

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LEVEL-BASED DATA SHARING FOR DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCTION